The beauty behind the “Madness”
Rondarius Thompson, Associate Writer
March is known to most people as just another month in the year, but to sports fans it is a month where college basketball comes alive.
March Madness traces all the way back to 1908 where it began in Illinois as a state-wide high school basketball tournament.
It became official with the IHSA by 1939 when Henry V. Porter penned an article called �March Madness.”
�A little March Madness may complement and contribute to sanity and help society on an even keel,” Porter said.
The term �March Madness� had never been used for anything other than referring to Illinois high school basketball until 1982, when a CBS sports announcer, Brent Musburger, made the phrase iconic.
The phrase �March Madness� began to be used for more than just high school basketball.
Along with the term’s widespread use, came controversy.
In 1996, the IHSA filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over the name after the NCAA released a video game call �March Madness.” Eventually, a compromise was made.
The beauty behind the madness is so simple, but so complex at the same time. Sixty-eight teams are selected every March for the NCAA Division I men�s tournament. Those 68 teams must play it out in a ‘loser goes home’ duel, in which there can only be one victor.
Each year, �The Big Dance� brings a different feel of excitement to the sports world. From underdog teams, to the powerhouse programs and even to the �Cinderella� teams that defy the odds and make a miraculous run for the title, the Madness will never lose its magic.
